 Mr Kiley will work as a consultant for the mayor |
London's outgoing transport chief Bob Kiley has said he was worth his �745,000 pay-off and six figure salary, described by critics as "astronomical". Mr Kiley denied leaving early because of rows, telling the London Assembly he felt it was time to move on.
He will be a consultant to the mayor, stay in his Belgravia house for three years and get �113,425 in benefits.
Mr Kiley, 70, agreed the package was generous but said he had made a difference at Transport for London.
 |  I would certainly accept that it is generous |
He will leave on 31 January, three years before his contract ends, with the �745,000 pay-off, as well as �113,425 in benefits between 2006 and 2008.
He will also stay on as a consultant to the mayor, at �3,200 a day for up to 90 days a year in 2006 and 2007.
His new role is likely to include looking at commuter rail, Crossrail and road pricing.
American Mr Kiley will also be allowed to stay in the Georgian townhouse bought for him by Transport for London (TfL) in 2001 for �2m.
"I would certainly accept that it is generous - you will not hear me arguing," he told the London Assembly.
"The real question is, with the money that has already been spent on my salary, bonuses and settlement, was real value added by me and that investment to TfL?
"I, of course, have a very distinct bias but I would answer undoubtedly yes. I know not everyone will agree with that.
"I do not leave with a bleak or troubled conscience."
Among those who disagreed was Roger Evans, the Conservative chairman of the assembly's transport committee.
He said: "Bob Kiley offered distinctly limited value for money for Londoners. His salary was astronomical, his Belgravia grace-and-favour townhouse outrageously extravagant.
"Buses have improved but given the money thrown at them, Mickey Mouse could have done that. The Tube is still crawling along."
Mr Kiley denied reports he was leaving early because of rows with his finance director Jay Walder, or over policy disagreements with the mayor.
He started the job in 2001 and signed a four-year contract in November 2004, on about �312,000 plus benefits.
But said there was something in his "genetic makeup" which prompted him to move on after five or six years.
"I have never been one to stay on longer than I should," he said.
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